COMPANY drivers in Western European countries - including Britain - are facing an increasing risk of their vehicles colliding with wild animals, two independent European studies have suggested.

Researchers from the UFZ Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, and Madrid University concluded more animals were straying onto roads because habitat loss was forcing them to migrate for food and mates. Roe deer, red deer, wild boar, foxes, badgers, hares and wild cats were most at risk.

The researchers proposed using lateral banks, fences, guard-rails and vegetation to funnel animal movements and reduce collisions.